Your Guide to Ficus Umbellata: Growing and Caring Tips

Growing and caring for Ficus umbellata introduces a touch of the tropics to indoor gardening, with its large, glossy leaves and robust growth.

This plant not only enhances interior spaces with its lush foliage but also purifies the air, making it a functional and attractive addition to any home.

With the right balance of light, water, and care, Ficus umbellata thrives, bringing a sense of the exotic to everyday living spaces.

Discover how to nurture this vibrant plant for optimal growth.

Ficus Umbellata Maintenance Overview

Lighting Needs: The umbrella fig tree thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Position it near a window that lets in plenty of light but shield it from direct sun to prevent leaf burn.
Temperature and Humidity: This plant prefers warm environments and high humidity, making it perfect for indoors. Maintain temperatures between 65°F and 85°F and keep the humidity over 50% to ensure its health.
Watering Requirements: Water the tree regularly but be cautious not to overwater. Let the top two inches of soil dry before watering again thoroughly. Use a pot with good drainage holes to avoid root rot.
Soil and Planting Mix: Use a well-draining soil mix that still retains moisture. A mix of indoor potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite works well. Alternatively, a cactus and succulent mix can also be used.
Fertilization: During the spring and summer, fertilize your umbrella fig tree monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer to support robust growth.

Trimming Your Umbrella Fig

Only prune your umbellata during its active growth periods in spring and summer.

Always use pruning shears or scissors that are sharp, clean, and sterilized.

This helps prevent the spread of diseases and bacteria when cutting the plant.

Spreading the Ficus Umbellata

What You Need:

A pot
Potting soil that drains well
Water
A clear jar or vase
Pruning shears or scissors

Steps to Follow:

Step 1: Use your scissors to cut a stem from a healthy umbrella fig tree. Make sure the stem has 3 to 5 bumps (nodes) and at least one leaf.
Step 2: Take off any leaves from the lower part of the stem. This part will go in the water.
Step 3: Put the stem in a jar filled with room temperature water. Ensure that at least one of the bumps is under water.
Step 4: Find a warm place with plenty of light but no direct sunlight. Change the water every week. You'll see roots starting to grow in a few weeks.
Step 5: When the roots are big enough, usually in 1 to 2 months, it's time to plant the stem in soil.
Step 6: Fill your pot with the soil and put the rooted stem in it. Press the soil down around the stem.
Step 7: Water the plant regularly, keeping the soil moist, especially for the first 1 to 2 weeks. This helps the new roots get used to being in soil.

Repotting Essentials

When to Repot:

You only need to repot when the tree grows too big for its current pot, which is usually every 2 to 3 years.
Check if it's time to repot by looking for roots that are winding around inside the pot or poking out of the drainage holes.

Best Time to Repot: The best time to repot is during the warmer months, spring and summer, when the tree is growing the most.

Choosing a New Pot: Pick a new pot that is 2 to 4 inches bigger than the old one. This helps prevent too much water from staying in the soil.

Steps to Repot:

Step 1: Carefully pull the tree out of its current pot.
Step 2: Shake off as much of the old soil as possible.
Step 3: Put fresh potting soil in the new pot.
Step 4: Place the tree in the new pot and press the soil down around it.
Step 5: Water the tree well and put it back where it was growing before.

After Repotting: It's normal for the tree to drop a few yellow leaves after moving it to a new pot. This is just the tree getting used to its new home. It will start growing normally again once it settles in.

Pest and Disease Management

The umbrella fig tree can get sick from too much water or from tiny bugs that harm it.

Common Bugs: Look out for scale and mealybugs. These pests like to drink the sap from the plant, which can hurt its health.
Root Rot: This happens when the tree is watered too much. Signs of root rot include leaves falling off quickly and stems that feel soft and mushy.

Troubleshooting Umbrella Fig Issues

Like the fiddle leaf fig, the umbrella fig tree needs the right environment to thrive, even though it's generally easy to care for. Here are common problems you often notice:

Yellow Leaves: If leaves turn yellow quickly, it could mean the tree isn’t getting the right amount of water or light, or it might need more humidity.
Brown, Crispy Spots on Leaves: This usually means the air is too dry or the tree isn’t getting enough water. Too much direct sunlight can also cause the leaves to get burnt spots.